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Kenai woman indicted on drug, gun charges

A 48-year-old Kenai woman was indicted by a federal grand jury Jan. 20 on multiple drug and gun charges.

Doris Jean Lageson faces seven counts, which include participating in drug trafficking conspiracy, using a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense, three counts of money laundering, providing a firearm to a felon and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Lageson's earliest charged activity began in July 2009, when she sent the first of three Western Union wire transfers of alleged drug distribution proceeds to co-conspirators in Bakersfield, Calif., according to the indictment. The amounts listed were $600, $5,700 and $5,730.

The indictment further alleged Lageson conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine. In October 2010, Lageson, who is a convicted felon, unlawfully possessed a handgun, and gave the handgun to a person she knew was a convicted felon.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives all participated in the investigation leading to the case's indictment, according to a Department of Justice press release.

Alaska State Troopers and the Kenai Police Department also were extensively involved in Lageson's case, said Assistant United States Attorney Kim Sayers-Fay in an email.

"The Troopers and KPD instigated the case, consistently pursued federal prosecution and facilitated many aspects of the investigation and eventual bust of Lageson's drug operation," she said.

Sayers-Fay presented the case to the grand jury.

According to court records, Lageson has been charged many times for fourth-degree assault and varying degrees of theft.

The drug trafficking conspiracy offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail, three years supervised release and a $1 million fine. The money laundering offenses entail similar maximum penalties, like up to 20 years in jail, three years supervised release and a fine not to exceed $500,000 or twice the amount laundered.

As a property that facilitated a drug trafficking offense, the prosecution also is seeking to forfeit Lageson's residence.